To bolster the economy of the State and introduce local food products into global markets, the Odisha Government has decided to make a determined move to launch its own processed food brands.
For example, Odisha Rasagola can be exported to foreign countries and there is a huge scope for development of Rasagola Cluster in Cuttack and other districts for milk-based products.
Similarly, mango from Dhenkanal and Angul, turmeric from Kandhamal and Similipal honey from Mayrubhanj hold abundant scope for export.
These products can be processed and promoted with branding for exporting to foreign countries with adoption of the PM Formalisation For Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) as funding will be no problem, officials say.
With the State Government having decided to implement the PMFME, the Department of MSME has taken up this initiative, so that the food items produced in different districts of the State would be processed and promoted in global markets with specific branding.
Principal Secretary MSME Satyabrata Sahu reviewed arrangements for implementation of the Central Sector Scheme, which aims to enhance the competitiveness of existing individual micro enterprises in the unorganised sector of food processing industry.
While the Department of MSME is the Nodal Department, Director Industries is the Nodal Officer and the APICOL is the Nodal Agency for implementation.
Several rounds of consultations and deliberations have taken place involving Principal Secretary MSME, Agriculture, Vice Chancellor OUAT, ICAR Scientists, Horticulture, Fisheries and Veterinary Directorates for formulating guidelines.
Facilities are there in Bhubaneswar International Airport which would help send produces of the State to foreign countries by air.
PMFME envisages a nationwide outlay of Rs 10,000 crore for coverage two lakh enterprises over a period of five years from 2020-21 to 2024-25.
Out of total spending, 60 per cent amount would be borne by the Union Government and the rest 40 per cent is owned by the State Government.
The PMFME adopts One District One Product (ODOP). All the 30 districts have unique advantages and each district will have food based product clusters for development of food processing industries.